The Month in Horror Releases: May

Despite there not being nearly as much on the plate for this month’s horror as we saw previously, we’re still seeing the release of a couple of promising indies as well as Ridley Scott’s return to the Alienverse with Alien: Covenant. So with that said, May looks like it’s starting the summer of horror off pretty strong. But first, here’s what I watched in April:

A Dark Song (review): No doubt one of the year’s most unique and staggeringly original horror films, this one preys on loss and grief while exploring a ritual like you’ve never seen before.

The Void (review): The ambitious throwback has a lot of great ideas and wonderful practical effects, it’s just an unfocused effort that’ not nearly as interesting as the films that inspired it.

May 2

American Exorcism (VOD)

Director: Tripp Weathers

Cast: Braxton Davis, Michael Filipowich, Sicily Fontaine

Damon Richter thought he left the world of possessions, exorcisms, and evil behind until an old friend arrives with frightening information about his estranged daughter knowing that only his otherworldly skills can save her.

May 5

Another Evil (Theaters & VOD)

Director: Carson D. Mell

Cast: Dan Bakkedahl, Beck DeRobertis, Dax Flame

After encountering a ghost in his family’s vacation home, Dan a modern artist and his wife Mary hire an “industrial-grade exorcist” named Os to get rid of the beings. But Dan soon realizes that ridding the home of evil won’t be as simple as it seems.

May 9

The Black Room (VOD)

Director: Rolfe Kanefsky

Cast: Natasha Henstridge, Lukas Hassel, Lin Shaye

Paul and Jennifer Hemdale have just moved into their dream house. But their happy marriage is about to be put to the test as they slowly discover the secret behind the black room in the cellar. Something else is already living in their new home and it is growing stronger every day.

May 12

Hounds of Love (Theaters & VOD)

Director: Ben Young

Cast: Emma Booth, Ashleigh Cummings, Stephen Curry

Vicki Maloney is randomly abducted from a suburban street by a disturbed couple. As she observes the dynamic between her captors she quickly realises she must drive a wedge between them if she is to survive.

May 15

Dead Awake (Theaters & VOD)

Director: Phillip Guzman

Cast: Jocelin Donahue, Jesse Bradford, Brea Grant

A young woman must save herself and her friends from an ancient evil that stalks its victims through the real-life phenomenon of sleep paralysis.

May 16

Breakdown Lane (VOD & DVD)

Director: Bob Schultz, Robert Conway

Cast: Whitney Moore, Aric Cushing, Nicole Zylstra

When Kirby Lane’s SUV breaks down in the middle of the desert, she must overcome the dehydration, coyotes, and lurking undead to find her way home.

May 19

Alien: Covenant (Theaters)

Director: Ridley Scott

Cast: Katherine Waterston, James Franco, Michael Fassbender

The crew of the colony ship Covenant, bound for a remote planet on the far side of the galaxy, discovers what they think is an uncharted paradise. When they uncover a threat beyond their imagination, they must attempt a harrowing escape.

Predictions

What you shouldn’t miss:

Again, while there isn’t a whole lot coming out this month, there’s still a couple of films that I think stand out from the rest, and they are Alien: Covenant and Hounds of Love.

This one goes without saying but any time Ridley Scott ventures into the horror genre, especially when it comes to the Alien franchise, it’s a must-see. Pretty simple, really.

I have yet to hear a bad thing about Ben Young’s indie shocker Hounds of Love, which is apparently a hard-as-hell film to sit through thanks to its brutal and disturbing subject matter—certainly not one for the fainthearted.

What you should take a chance on:

Now this choice was a little bit more difficult because the rest of these films have received little to no hype, so we’re kind of going in blind. Because of that I’m going with Dead Awake, which stars the always fantastic Jocelin Donahue.

Again, not much has been said about Dead Awake (or the rest of these movies for that matter) but Donahue tends to shine in horror, so I gotta give this one a chance.

What a list! I’m definitely most excited for Alien: Covenant. 🙂 I love the franchise and quite enjoyed Prometheus, so this should be good. Hounds of Love looks interesting too. It reminds me of An American Crime, though that was harrowingly a true story.

Us Prometheus fans need to stick together! I too am really looking forward to Alien: Covenant, and I’m excited to see how Scott expands the universe now. Hounds of Love looks gnarly, I’ve only heard great things about it 🙂

I’ll probably go and see the new Alien flick. But I have been so underwhelmed with the trailers and marketing so far. Which coming off the back of me not digging Prometheus leaves me pretty un-excited.

Caught the trailer for Hounds of Love before a couple of films out here lately. Was really intrigued by it. Doesn’t really give away much of the premise, so surprised it is as full on as it sounds. Though it did have a bit of a Snowtown vibe going on.

If it makes you feel any better I’ve heard that Covenant is a straight up horror movie and everything that Prometheus wasn’t. Early word is very encouraging, too! Hounds of love just looks like it’s going to wreck people, really can’t wait to take a look at that one!

Ryan, i stopped by the site to find a recommendation. I plan to watch a movie or two today; which ones do you think I’ll dig: Hounds of Love, Berline Syndrome, A Dark Song, or Dark Signal? ALL of them? NONE of them? In your horror expertise, what do you think?